Staining is a great way to both enhance the appearance of, and extend the life of your deck or fence. The outdoor surfaces can be significantly revitalized though a cleaning and staining process. And, old wood can be made to look new again, while you subsequently prolong the life of  surfaces in the process.

Both decks and fences can be stained using a variety of products currently available on the market. The more pigment used generally translates to a better protection level. So, while a clear coating will provide you with the least amount of protection, changing the color to a darker shade will add more.

Additionally, toners will provide you with a slight change in color as well as a better level of protection. And semi-transparent stains can provide a wide array of colors, while still allowing the natural wood grain to show through.

Solid Stains

Solid stains are available in any color and provide the overall best level of protection. However, once you have a solid stain on the deck or fence, it is difficult to go back to the natural wood look. Also, for decking, degradation or decomposition is more evident with a solid stain versus a semi-transparent stain or toner.

However, with any of these stains, proper cleaning and preparation is required to ensure that you achieve the best results. These surfaces should be cleaned and perhaps even brightened prior to the staining process. This is done through an actual product called a wood brightener. But, it is recommended that you consult with a professional prior to beginning the process to determine how much preparation or brightening is required because some of the harsher cleaners and brighteners can actually damage the fibers of the wood.

More Is Not Merrier

Keep in mind that many painting contractors, as well as the majority of do-it-yourselfers, mistakenly believe that the more coats you put on, the better. The quality of staining decks or fences should not be dependent on how many coats you apply. In fact, over-application can make the surface sticky, and thus make the stain unable to dry properly.

Clear finishes will probably not need to be re-applied for at least two years, although this will depend on weather conditions and the climate in which you live in. To maintain your newly stained wood, it is recommended that you carefully inspect all treated surfaces at least once a year to see how they are holding up.

Related Articles

• Your Guide to Painting Your Home (0)
• What Is Trex? (0)
• Weighing Wood Fence Installation Against the Alternatives (0)
• Warming Up Your All-White Home With Color (0)
• Troubleshooting Outdoor Painting Problems (0)

What is a sump pump?

To better understand what it’s backup option does, it is best to recognize the basic function of a traditional sump pump. Water in a basement collects in a pit to prevent it from spreading onto the floors and damaging a home; this area is called a sump. If your house is prone to collecting a lot of water in the basement, then the best way to remove the water is by installing a sump pump. The pump is wired to your home’s electricity and automatically goes on when excess water is in the basement. The pump usually sends the water right to your street and down the drain.

What is a backup sump pump?

The backup sump pump is a battery-operated pump that is installed underneath your basement floor, with just the top of the machine and the pipe sticking out above the floor. The size of the backup sump pump depends on your basement, but typically it is about the size of a trash can, explains Wethington. The backup pump can be installed so that it will go on automatically once enough water is present to suggest that the main pump is not functioning. Or, if you wish, you can have the backup pump installed so that you manually have to turn it on, though few homeowners choose this option.

Why do you need a backup?

As you probably have experienced, electricity fails and power goes out. Sometimes it is quick and returns almost instantly, but usually it occurs at the most inconvenient times, like when your basement is flooding. Since a sump pump is operated by electricity, if the power is out, you won’t get it to turn on and it won’t be able to do its job.

What if the battery runs out?

The great thing about a backup sump pump is that while it does run on batteries in times of need, the rest of the time it is hooked up to your home’s electricity and is charging. So it never stops running even if the battery dies.

Wethington reminds his customers that backup sump pumps are only needed for homes with basements and are most beneficial in areas that are prone to heavy rains, flooding and power outages.

Related Articles

• No related articles found.

How to Deal With Mold in Your Home

Oh no! Mold is growing in your home. Here is what to do if you do find that this noxious stuff is invading your house.

Tips on How to Prevent Mold

Mold is one of the worst health problems that can exist in your home. Here is how to prevent it.

How Mold Impacts Your Health

Mold releases tiny neurotoxins that can impact your health in a number of ways. Read more about the dangers of mold here.

What is Crime Scene Cleanup?

We have all seen crime scenes on TV shows, but in reality, these messy events need skilled hands to clean up the mess after the cops are gone.

Why to Hire a Professional Crime Scene Cleanup Company

This article details some of the many reasons that crime scene cleanup is not a do-it-yourself job.

How to Become a Crime Scene Cleaner

Interested in seeing the aftermath of a murder or what an exploded meth lab looks like? We’ve got the perfect job for you.

Dangers of Meth Use

We all have heard about the scourge of methamphetamine. This article outlines the true dangers of this horrific drug.

When to Get Professional Meth Lab Testing

Did you know most meth is cooked up right in the kitchen of residential homes? Was it done in your new house? Here are some clues to look out for.

How to Spot a Meth Lab In Your Neighborhood

Most meth is home grown in little residential towns just like yours. Is your neighbor cooking up meth next door?

Related Articles

• What is Crime Scene Cleanup? (0)
• Dangers of Meth Use (0)
• Tips on How to Prevent Mold (0)
• How to Become a Crime Scene Cleaner (1)
• Why to Hire A Professional Crime Scene Cleanup Company (0)

How to Get What You Want in a Home Project

A new kitchen can mean a million things to a million people. This article outlines how to clearly illustrate your dreams to your contractor so they become reality.

What to Do If You Have a Plumbing Emergency

This article outlines how to handle toilet overflows, leaking pipes and other common home plumbing emergencies.

How to Prevent Plumbing Emergencies

Some handy DIY tricks and tips so you don’t end up with a horrible flood or other plumbing problem on your hand.

Stay Cool Without Cranking the AC

Get advice on how to stay cool in the warm months – without spending a bundle on air conditioning.

How to Remove Your Own Wallpaper

Why hire a contractor or painter when you can do it yourself? Here’s how to effectively remove wallpaper in your home.

What Not to Do During a DIY Project

Some common errors that people make with Do It Yourself home contracting – and how to avoid them.

Great Green Home Remodeling Tips

There are lots of ways to be environmentally effective while remodeling your home. Here are a few tips.

How to Make Your Home Green

Greening your home is something we all know we should do. Here’s how.

How to Winterize Your House

Winterizing your home is a great way to save money on your heating bills while helping the environment. This article tells you how.

How to Safely Hire a Contractor

Your house is your home and you don’t want to let just anyone work on it. No two contractors are the same. Here’s how to hire the better one.

How to Hire the Right Demolition Crew

Destroying something is a lot more complicated than one might suspect. Here’s how to hire the right crew to do it safely.

Related Articles

• How to Make Your Home Green (0)
• How to Hire the Right Demolition Crew (0)
• Managing Your General Contractor: Dos and Don’ts (0)
• Building a Green Home 101 (0)
• Steps to Hiring a Good General Contractor (0)

Molds are small fungal organisms that can live in your walls, carpet, insulation, and just about any surface area in your home. Like most living organisms, molds need moisture to live and reproduce. That’s why you’re most likely to find mold in areas with leaks or high humidity. In most cases, you can identify mold by its smell, which is usually earthy and damp, or by its color, which can range from black to purple to white and often appears in a speckled pattern.

While mold can have a number of harmful health effects, including allergic reactions, irritation, and in rare cases, infection, for the most part, it does not harm healthy people. On the other hand, people with allergies, asthma, a lowered immune system or lung disease have a higher risk of being harmed by mold. People with weak immune systems or chronic lung disease especially are at risk of contracting lung infections from mold, which is why it is generally recommended for individuals who fall into either of these groups to stay away from wooded areas, cut grass, and other places that are likely to contain pollen and allergens.

Here are a few of the potential issues of being exposed to mold:

Irritation: These symptoms can range from the physical, such as sneezing and congestion and headaches, to mental, such as difficulty concentrating. This type of reaction is often caused by volatile organic compounds that mold creates as a byproduct. Additional symptoms can include skin rash, eye irritation and dizziness. Often these symptoms are caused by mycotoxins, a toxic substance emitted by mold. The harmful effects of mycotoxins can be aggravated by other factors such as diet and genetics.

Allergic Reactions: Most molds don’t cause allergic reactions. But if you have chronic allergies that don’t go away with the seasons, that’s a high indicator that you may have a mold allergy. In addition, if you or your family members are allergic to pollen or dander, you’re more likely to have an allergy to mold.

The root cause of an allergic reaction is a foreign substance or organism that has invaded your body and caused it to create an immune response even though there is actually little to no real threat. When the foreign substance is mold, the symptoms are quite similar to those of seasonal allergies and can include sneezing, running nose, throat irritation and dry skin.

Disease: This is the least common health hazard associated with mold, but people who have weakened immune systems, whether because they have AIDS or are undergoing chemotherapy or transplant surgery, are at risk of contracting infections from mold that normally wouldn’t harm a healthy person.

A few safety tips to follow when dealing with mold include:

• If you have a small patch of mold, you can take care of it on your own with a little unscented detergent. Wear goggles, a breathing mask and gloves.
• High humidity can create a friendly environment for mold. If your home has excessive humidity levels, you may have a problem with your heating system. If you live in a humid climate,  a dehumidifier can help you prevent mold.
• If the mold is deeply embedded in an area of your home or occupies more than 10 square feet of space, contact a professional mold remediation expert. If you choose to tackle the problem on your own, wear a particle filter mask approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Dehumidifying your home isn’t enough. Even dry mold can cause health problems and structural damage to your home.
• Never paint over mold, as it will still be able to grow under the paint.
• Bathrooms are a prime target for mold and should be cleaned with mold-killing cleaning products.
• If any part of your home floods, dry the area and any absorbent materials such as rugs or carpets as soon as possible.The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

Related Articles

• Safe and Effective Mold Removal (6)
• Pollutants in the Air You Breathe: Risks and Prevention (3)
• Three Reasons Proper Structural Drying is Essential Following a Flood (0)
• Shingles: Treatment and Prevention (0)
• Myths About Mold (0)

Ok, so going green is a term we hear thrown around a lot these days. So many products tout the phrase “green friendly,” and nearly every industry in the United States is seemingly trying to capitalize on the trend. With claims of earth-friendly practices assaulting us on nearly every label, it can sometimes seem a daunting task to distinguish the posers from the genuine article.

However, your home and the practices therein are one of the places where going green is a lot more than hype. This is equally true for renovations. Many of my customers have expressed interest in keeping their repairs and renovations as eco-friendly as possible. As such, I’ve decided to jot down a few easy places where you can cut a few corners and save Mother Nature a bit when making changes to your house. These small practices won’t cost you anything. In fact, they’ll actually save you money. So consider implementing a few of them when you begin your next home improvement project.

• Reuse When You Can – Just because you’re renovating your kitchen, dining or bathroom doesn’t mean everything old must go. Instead of tossing every old fixture or cabinet, consider revamping some of those old pieces. Think about simply replacing your cabinet doors instead of chucking the whole thing. If you’re dead set on getting new cabinets shelving or storage, reuse the old pieces on the laundry room or garage. Hardwood flooring is another area where you’re better of recycling. Don’t replace it, simply rebuff it, stain it or add new gloss. An older hardwood floor that has been vamped up a bit generally looks even better than a new one.
• Be Selective – If you choose products carefully, you can make a big environmental impact. You’ll have to do a lot more research to balance out all the claims and counter claims. But in the long run, you’ll benefit enormously. Your floor is a great place to start. Instead of putting down a traditional hardwood floor, consider laying down cork or bamboo flooring instead. These woods grow and replenish themselves at a much faster rate than hardwoods and often cost less too. Wool, although slightly more expensive, is an organic way to carpet your house that feels and looks much better than non-biodegradable synthetics.

  When your water heater needs replacing, don’t bother. Instead, opt for tankless water heating systems. Tankless heaters only boil as much water you use and are a great way to cut down on home energy costs. This is one of the most effective measures you take to green your home, as traditional water tanks boil water constantly and waste immense amounts of energy. When it’s time to paint, choose paints that are green friendly. In recent years, most major paint manufacturers have seized on the trend and begun to develop terrific, affordable lines of eco-friendly paint. These paints are as good or better than their more chemically counterparts and can be purchased anywhere paints are sold.

• Assess Your Energy Use – Though you may need the help of a professional to assess your energy use, their services are worth their weight in savings. A professional energy assessor can advise you as to the most energy efficient means to run your home. They will recommend fixes and improvements and show you how to implement them. These can include heat-retaining windows, low-flush toilets to save water and furnaces that burn cleaner and more efficiently. I highly recommend a professional energy audit to anyone doing major renovations or repairs to their home. This service more than pays for itself in home-energy savings.

As interest in green living continues to grow, more and more people are considering green products and techniques when embarking on a home improvement project. As a result, the prices of many environmentally friendly products and services has dropped significantly and become more affordable than ever before. You average home goods store has a plethora of options to help you in your quest to green your living space.

Though not everyone has the resources to go solar or get completely off the grid, these small green improvements to your home make a significant change to the world. Green and earth-friendly home improvement projects add up and ultimately make a big difference.

Related Articles

• Will an Eco-Friendly Home Be More Expensive to Build? (0)
• Your Guide to Handyman Services (2)
• What Not to Do During a DIY Project (2)
• Steps to Hiring a Good General Contractor (0)
• Stay Cool Without Cranking the AC (4)

Choosing the Right Waterproofing Specialist

Experience is one of the best tools a waterproofing specialist can have on his side.

Don’t Do Your Own Waterproofing

Reasons why you should hire a specialist before attempting to waterproof your home yourself.

Waterproofing Your Basement to Protect Yourself From Mold

Water left untreated in the home can develop into mold which carries serious health risks.

The Most Common Sources of Basement Water Leaks

The two most common sources of basement water leaks are outlined in this guide.

What to Expect During Basement Waterproofing

Answers to the waterproofing process that will take place in your home.

What Should Homebuyers Look For In a Basement

A guide on what to look for in a basement before buying your next home.

Why You Should Waterproof Your Home Before You Sell It

Water damage in your home could be a major deal breaker for perspective buyers.

What is a Water Intrusion Survey?

An explanation of what a water intrusion survey is and when you made need one.

What is a French Drain?

A guide through the installation of a french drain and its importance in your home.

What is a Hollow Kick Molding Drainage System?

Patented by Boccia Inc., this is the first molding system sold across the country to accompany your drainage system.

The Truth About Gutters

Gutters may be leaving your home unprotected from water intrusion.

Facade and Balcony Restoration

Reasons why your facade or balcony should be properly waterproofed.

Related Articles

• What to Expect During Basement Waterproofing (0)
• What is a Hollow Kick Molding Drainage System? (0)
• Don’t Do Your Own Waterproofing (0)
• What to Look For When Purchasing a Sump Pump (2)
• What is Basement Water Seepage? (3)

One of the best ways to upgrade your house is by waterproofing your basement. With more and more homeowners turning their basements into family areas, home gyms and media rooms, the thought that water damage could ruin their hard work or keep them from updating their home could be a major deal breaker. If your home is not already waterproofed, it may also be likely that potential buyers will want to make the procedure your priority before the closing date.

Vincent Boccia of Boccia Inc, an expert waterproofing and masonry company that has been serving the New York area for years, has seen waterproofing become a major selling point in a home. Within the past few years, Boccia says that he has found people to be less tolerant of water in their basements. Maybe 10 or 20 years ago, they didn’t mind as much because basements were not a high-traffic area. But now they expect that when they move in to a new home, the waterproofing has already been done.

The water damage associated with not properly protecting your basement is another warning to potential buyers. Where there is water damage, there is also the possibility of rotting wood and mold. While mold can be removed and walls can be replaced, a buyer may opt to purchase a home other than yours because it’s one that they can move right into, without having to worry about the potential health risks associated with  mold.

Also, even if your unwaterproofed home passes your home inspection, Boccia warns that savvy homebuyers have called waterproofing specialists like him to take another walk-through of the home. Whereas the general inspector is looking at multiple aspects of the home, Boccia and his team are targeting specific areas such as windows, foundation cracks, drainage systems and gutter placement to look for build up, potential build up and damage.

Regardless of whether you plan on selling your home in the near future or not, Boccia suggests waterproofing your basement anyway. He says he has seen many sellers forced to waterproof right before closing when they could have benefited from the perks of a water-free basement themselves.

Related Articles

• Your Guide to Waterproofing Your Home (0)
• Waterproofing Your Basement to Protect Yourself From Mold (0)
• Getting an Estimate for Waterproofing Your Basement (0)
• Don’t Do Your Own Waterproofing (0)
• Choosing the Right Waterproofing Specialist (0)

American Leak Detection, founded in 1974, is experienced in fixing residential leaks, as they have had over 30 years in business. Steven Nagel, owner of the Tampa, Florida branch, explains that pool leaks are one of the most familiar repair requests he gets from customers. The good news is that if you do happen to have a pool leak, statistically speaking, you’re far more likely to have a leak that is structural—only 10% of pool leaks are related to plumbing and need major repairs. The 90% of leaks that are structural usually require only minor fixes but result in major water savings.

Nagel reports that in houses, leaks are likely to be under a slab, in the walls, or in the yard. Slab leaks can be some of the most costly to fix if taking care of the leak means doing an entire repipe of the plumbing system, since the plumbing underneath slabs often is so closely tied into the housing foundation. If the problem involves only a simple repair, however, leak specialists such as those at American Leak Detection can use modern techniques and equipment to ensure that only a small portion of the slab is removed to minimize damage. Wall leaks can be problematic because they can cause mold to grow on wood and insulation, but most wall leaks can be accessed without too much trouble. Yard leaks occur in the outdoor hose fixtures and in sprinkler systems, so these should be checked periodically when you do your yard work.

The type of pipe used in a residential piping can affect whether a leak is likely to occur. “Plumbing leaks tend to be in copper pipes,” says Nagel. “Whether due to the age ([leaks in copper appear] usually in the 20- to 30-year range), lime from a cement block eating through the pipe, or general wear and tear, the most common plumbing leaks are pinhole size and found in copper pipes. CPVC (a type of piping) rarely leaks, but it is most commonly caused by pressure on the pipe fittings when it does.”

Some fixtures have parts that cause leaks when they malfunction. For example, toilets, faucets and appliances most commonly leak due to wear and tear on the rubber pieces used. These are incredibly simple fixes in most cases, and are inexpensive due to the fact that you don’t really need to replace any major parts such as the pipe or fixture itself.

Nothing is wrong with trying to fix one of these common leaks yourself if you know how. If you aren’t sure what to do, however, then the first step is to figure out where the water is coming from. If you can see the leak, then go ahead and call a plumber. If you know water is intruding from somewhere but just can’t seem to locate the leak, then call a leak detector instead. The leak detector can tell you where the problem is so that the plumber can fix it. Often one company may provide both plumbing and leak detection services, such as American Leak Detection does, so you might be able to simplify the repair work by using specialists from the same company.

Related Articles

• Could You Have a Slab Leak? (0)
• Whole House Re-Pipes (0)
• Waterline Replacement (0)
• How to Use a Water Meter to Find a Leak (0)
• Why to Hire a Plumber (0)

If it were that easy, though, then there would be no conceivable need for waterproofing specialists like Vincent Boccia, of Boccia Inc., a waterproofing and masonry company known for their honesty and hard work. Boccia warns that although waterproofing may seem easy, it takes a lot of knowledge and skill to do properly.

Boccia says that it is rarely possible for a homeowner to waterproof his home properly and successfully on their own. In fact, his company is often called to rectify or complete waterproofing projects that have already been started. So trying to waterproof a basement yourself could actually cost you more than if you had just called a specialist in the first place.

While he would never recommend digging up your basement on your own to install a french drain, “quick-fix” methods should not be trusted either. You shouldn’t rely on miracle products, warns Boccia, as they can actually trap moisture in the wall. That actually does more harm than good because trapped moisture can lead to rotting of the wall, in which case the whole wall would have to be removed and replaced. Another risk with using products that trap water in your walls is that you likely won’t notice the damage you have done.

People tend to think that the products they bought in the store worked because they don’t see the water anymore, explains Boccia. But that doesn’t mean the water is not there. And when you can’t see the water, then you can’t treat it. It becomes a snowball effect that can lead to mold growth and health risks.

Boccia recalled a particular instance of water damage that he was called to treat a housing complex that was improperly waterproofed during the initial construction. After a few weeks of rain, water became trapped in the walls, rotting the structure and putting tenants at risk. In total, 21, three-story homes had to be evacuated. The rotting and deterioration became so bad that it took two years to properly waterproof the homes before people could move in again. The improper construction and poor initial steps taken to waterproof the complex led to expensive renovations and years of inconveniences for both the tenants and the owners.

Related Articles

• Your Guide to Waterproofing Your Home (0)
• Basement Waterproofing: Keeping Basements Low and Dry (1)
• Why You Should Waterproof Your Home Before You Sell It (0)
• What to Look For When Purchasing a Sump Pump (2)
• What is Basement Water Seepage? (3)